JESIP is provided with governance through the JESIP Interoperability Board which meets quarterly and is chaired by the police National Strategic Lead and JESIP Senior Responsible Officer. This is a chief officer level board, supported by cross-government departments at the director level.
The national strategic leads for the police, ambulance and fire & rescue sectors act as a conduit to the services in their respective sector. All other responder organisations are represented directly by a senior officer or by the relevant Government Department and the Local Government Association.
Further governance is provided through a Ministerial Oversight Board.
JESIP Interoperability Board Membership Chart
Meet the National Strategic Leads
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington
JESIP National Police Strategic Lead and Senior Responsible Officer, JESIP Interoperability Board Chair
Essex Police Chief Constable, Ben-Julian Harrington, or BJ, began his policing career with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in 1990. BJ brought with him experience not only from his work with HM Customs and Excise, but his skills as a reserve soldier in the Parachute Regiment too.
After learning the ropes as a response police officer, BJ joined the Metropolitan Police Services’ specialist public order team, the Territorial Support Group (TSG). He became a Sergeant in 1996 and continued through the ranks until becoming Area Commander for Northwest London in 2014. He had gained operational policing experience in a variety of roles and in particular an interest in public order policing.
Roles included overseeing the London 2012 Olympics, the implementations of Safer Neighbourhood Teams and becoming Commander for Public Order in London.
BJ also worked as one of the National Counter Terrorism Commanders.
In 2017, BJ was seconded to the role of Deputy Chief Constable for Essex Police. He took over as the Chief Constable in October 2018.
Alongside his Chief Constable responsibilities, BJ is also the chair of the NPCC Operations Coordination Committee (NOCC). BJ has a postgraduate diploma in Police Leadership from Leicester University. He is also a graduate of the Cabinet Office Leaders UK senior public service leadership programme.
Chief Executive Officer Anthony Marsh
JESIP National Ambulance Strategic Lead
Anthony started his Ambulance Service career in 1987. Anthony has held a number of senior posts with the Ambulance Service in Hampshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and West Midlands. He is the longest serving substantive Chief Ambulance Officer in the country.
Anthony holds 3 Masters Degrees. MSc in Strategic Leadership, Master in Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts. He is also a Professor of Emergency Services Management.
Anthony also holds the National Portfolio for Emergency Planning, Major Incident Response
and Resilience. He is also the National Ambulance Strategic Lead for JESIP, Interoperability and Counter Terrorism. He also oversees and hosts the National Ambulance Resilience Unit on behalf of NHS England.
Anthony was appointed NHS England and NHS Improvement National Strategic Advisor of Ambulance Services in 2018.
Chief Fire Officer Stewart Nicholson
JESIP National Fire Strategic Lead
Stewart Nicholson was appointed Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service in 2026. In his capacity as Chief Fire Officer he provides strategic direction and is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality services aimed at safeguarding communities.
Stewart holds a Master’s degree in Disaster Management and Emergency Planning and demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing emergency service resilience both within the organisation and across the broader community. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Trailblazer Local Resilience Forum in Northumbria.
On a national level, Stewart chairs JESIP Fire within the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and presides over both the Organisational Learning and Operational Learning committees. Additionally, he acts as Vice-Chair of ACER (Academic Collaboration, Evaluation and Research) and participates in activities related to the NFCC Operations, Preparedness, Response, and Resilience Committee. Stewart is also a member of the National Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Board.
